Attached are the agenda, hotel, and registration information.  The files are also on the Coming Events Tab.

On 17 Sep 2020, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution gave a reading presentation to celebrate the birthday of the Constitution of the United States at Commonwealth Senior Living Facility in Front Royal.  Dale Corey, Brett Osborn, Chip Daniel and Art LaFlam provided an oversight of the birth of the Constitution and an overview of what the original document means.  The Articles of Confederation was the governing document for the federal government into the 1780s.  It was woefully inadequate.  It gave little power to the central government and lacked enforcement powers.  Decisions required unanimous approval of all 13 State legislatures.  Another problem was money.  They could print money, but it was worthless.  They borrow but couldn't pay it back.  They had little ability to defend its sovereignty.  Many of the 625 man Army had not been paid, some were deserting and others were threatening mutiny.  There was  no international power to protect American interests from other nations.  Overall, it was a failed document.  In 1787, a convention was called at Philadelphia to propose a plan of government.  Original plans included 23 articles.  After considerable discussion and debate, a final draft was approved with seven articles.  By the end of July 1788, 11 States had ratified and on 13 September 1788, a resolution was passed putting the new Constitution into operation.  the new government was in place effective 4 March 1789.  George Washington was inaugurated 8 weeks later as the first President of the United States.  There were 39 signers of the document, to include three from Virginia.  These were John Blair, James Madison and George Washington.  The Constitution with the Bill of Rights and the additional amendments are the basis of the governments structure and law and order in the United States of America.  Pictured l - r are Dale Corey, Brett Osborn, Chip Daniel and Art LaFlam.
 
Submitted by Dale Corey 

On September 15th, the Colonel George Waller Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution presented its EMS & Public Safety Recognition series.

Shown here are (L-R):
Andrew Doss - Chapter President
Jarred Marlowe - Chapter Vice President
John Turner - Fire Safety Award Recipient
Logan Peters - EMS Award Recipient
Andy Powers - Heroism Award Recipient
Ted Anderson - Martinsville Fire Chief
Bob Vogler- Public Safety Committee Vice Chairman
Mike Bass - Public Safety Committee Chairman
 
Submitted by Andy Doss

On 12 September 2020, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter sponsored a commemorative celebration of Daniel Morgan, Revolutionary War Hero at Mt Hebron Cemetery.  The ceremony was emcee'd by Dale Corey with greetings presented by Chapter President Marc Robinson and Virginia State Society Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) 1st Vice President Jeff Thomas.  The Reverend Jim Simmons provided an invocation in front of a Color Guard consisting of members of the Colonel James Wood II, Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minutemen, Fairfax Resolves, George Mason and General Adam Stephens Chapters and a contingent from the Trail Life  youth organization from the Chelsea Academy in Front Royal.  The Color Guard was led by Virginia State Color Guard Commander Ken Bonner.  A presentation on Daniel Morgan was given by Brett Osborn.  Morgan was born in New Jersey about 1735 and ran away from home to the wilderness of Pennsylvania and western Virginia.  He became a teamster, hauling freight between remote frontier settlements.  In 1755 he was hired as a wagoner for the Braddock expedition against Fort Duquesne.  Three years later he was an ensign with the Virginia Militia.  In 1763, he served as a Lieutenant in Pontiac's War and in 1774 was fighting Indians in the Ohio Valley.  After the Revolutionary War began, he raised a company of marksmen in Virginia and marched north to meet General Washington's Army at a pace of over twenty-eight miles a day.  This became known as the Beeline March.  He was part of the assault on Quebec.  Morgan took command when Benedict Arnold was wounded and led his men into the narrow streets of the Lower Town.  While waiting for reinforcements, the unit was surrounded and captured, being held until late 1776.  Morgan rejoined Washington's Army in April 1777 after raising a new corps of sharpshooters.  He was sent to join Horatio Gates in New York.  His leadership was a major factor in the decisive American victory at the Battle of Saratoga.  In 1781, he led his men against the British Light Troops in South Carolina with a three tiered plan.  The first row would fire two shots and retire, the second row 150 yards behind would do the same.  The third row and a reserve force were his battle hardened veterans.  On the right flank was his cavalry.  The plan went off to perfection, almost totally destroying the larger more experienced British force, inflicting over three hundred casualties and taking six hundred prisoners out of the eleven hundred troops engaged.  The Americans suffered seventy-two casualties, in this the battle known as Cowpens.  After the war, he operated a gristmill, speculated in western lands, took the field briefly during the Whiskey Rebellions as commander of a Virginia Militia outfit and in 1797 won a seat in the House of Representatives.  He died in 1802.  Wreaths were presented to honor the memory of Daniel Morgan.  These included wreaths from VASSAR by 1st VP Jeff Thomas, the SAR Chapters represented by Will Reynolds (Col James Wood II), Mike Weyler (Col William Grayson), Mike Dennis (Culpeper Minutemen), Dave Cook (Fairfax Resolves), Ken Morris (George Mason) and Allan Phillips (General Adam Stepehns).  The DAR was represented by Anita Bonner (Lanes Mill DAR), Michelle Phillips (West Virginia State DAR) and Marlyn Keesecker (Pack Horse DAR).  A musket squad comprised of Ken Bonner, Brett Osborn, Paul Christensen, Sean Carrigan, Dave Cook, Marty Keesecker, Art LaFlam, Eric Robinson and Barry Schwoerer fired three rounds prior to Marc Robinson playing Taps.  Also participating were Flag Bearers Chip Daniel, Dennis Parmeter, Erick Moore and drummer Doug Hall.  The Color Guard then formed up and marched the length of the cemetery to perform at the Birthday Celebration of the US Constitution.  The first picture is  of sentinels Marty Keesecker, Eric Robinson, Steve Englebright and Art LaFlam guarding Daniel Morgan's gravesite.  The second picture is the members of the Color Guard standing l - r Jim Simmons, Allen Phillips, Mike Weyler, Marty Keesecker, Jeff Thomas, Eric Robinson, Erick Moore, Paul Christensen, Steve Englebright, Art LaFlam, Eniis Parmeter, Ken Morris, Barry Schwoerer, Brett Osborn and Doug Hall.  Kneeling l - r are Chip Daniel, Dale Corey, Marc Robinson, Ken Bonner and Sean Carrigan.  The third picture is the musket squad firing a round.  Eric Robinson, Marty Keesecker, Sean Carrigan, Mike Dennis, Art LaFlam, Dave Cook, Barry Schwoerer, Paul Christensen, Marc Robinson and Ken Bonner.
 Submitted by Dale Corey

On 5 September, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution conducted a grave marking for Private Daniel Cloud, a patriot of the American Revolution.   Dale Corey and the Rt Rev Larry Johnson conducted the dedication ceremony with a color guard consisting of compatriots from the Colonel James Wood II, Culpeper Minute Men, George Mason, George Washington, Fairfax Revolves and General Adam Stephens Chapters of the SAR, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.).  Also participating were Virginia Society President Bill Schwetke and 2nd Vice President Ernie Coggins.  Daniel Cloud was born in 1755 to Henry and Eleanor Cloud.  During the Revolutionary War, he was listed as a Private with his brother William on the rolls of Captain Joseph Bowman's Dunmore company from 1775 - 1776.  He served from June 1776 to 1778 in Captain Richard Campbell's Company under Colonel Abraham Bowman in the 8th Virginia Regiment.  The unit was part of George Washington's Continental Army and fought at the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth.  After returning home from the war, he married 1st Nancy Jennings and had two children.  After her death in 1792, he married Elizabeth Branson and had four more children.  Daniel died in 1815 and was buried at the Willow Glen family cemetery.  This was located on land that became the property of the American Viscose Company (Avtex) just prior to World War II.  In 1939 all the known graves at Will Glen were moved to Prospect Hill in Front Royal.  The Color Guard was led by Virginia State Color Guard Commander Ken Bonner and assisted by Virginia Color Guardsman of the Year Brett Osborn.  Commemorative wreaths were presented by the various chapters and a musket salute was fired in honor the the patriot.  In addition to those mentioned earlier, other participating compatriots were Chip Daniel, Sean Carrigan, Dave Cook,  Fred Gill, Marty Keesecker, Art LaFlam, Eric Robinson, Erick Moore, Ken Morris, Kelly Ford, Mike Dennis, Nathan Poe and Will Reynolds.  Representing the DAR were Deborah Corey and Anita Bonner.  Attending from the C.A.R. were Leona, Sam and Jackie Gill.  The 1st picture is the color guard led by Ken Bonner, drummer Doug Hall, Eric Robinson, Bill Schwetke, Chip Daniel, Brett Osborn, Don Dusenbury, Erick Moore and Ken Morris.  The 2nd photo is from l-r, Dave Cook, Kelly Ford, Bill Schwetke, Ken bonner, Chip Daniel, Brett Osborn, Nathan Poe, Marty Keesecker, Mike Dennis, Don Dusenbury, Art LaFlam, Sean Carrigan, Erick Moore, Jackie Gill, Leona Gill, Sam Gill, Eric Robinson, Fred Gill, Dale Corey, Larry Johnson and Doug Hall.  The 3rd photo is a picture of the sentinels guarding the grave of Private Daniel Cloud, Marty Keesecker and Art LaFlam.
 
Submitted by Dale Corey

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​The Richmond Chapter honored a celebrated Revolutionary War hero, Peter Francisco, and welcomed his 6th Great Grandson, William M. Brown III, Saturday, August 29 when Compatriot Brown was inducted a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
The ceremony was held at the site of Pvt. Francisco’s grave at Richmond’s Historic Shockoe Hill Cemetery. His is remembered as the “Virginia Giant” of the American Revolution.

The oath of membership was administered by Richmond Chapter President Dennis C. Peterson and witnessed by about 25 members and guests who braved reports of threatening weather to attend.  Not a drop of rain fell during the 30-minute ceremony we are pleased to report.

To give perspective on Compatriot Brown’s ancestor, Mr. Ed Bowman, an officer in the Peter Francisco Society, spoke to our group preceding the induction. Also pitching in to assist by holding the Colors on a breezy late Summer morning was Compatriot Brown’s son William M Brown IV who was promptly introduced to Chapter Registrar William Haskins.
 
Peter Francisco (1760-1831) is celebrated for several heroic acts during the Revolutionary War, most notably when he “saved a cannon weighing 1,100 pounds from capture by carrying it on his shoulder to safety” during the Battle of Camden, SC.  Words attributed to George Washington praise Francisco’s service.

“Without him we would have lost two crucial battles, perhaps the War, and with it our freedom. He was truly a One-Man-Army.”  In 1975 the U.S. Congress forever commemorated Peter Francisco’s patriotism with a USPS postage stamp.This was our Chapter’s first formal meeting since the COVID-19 restrictive order on public gatherings was imposed last March. 
​Submitted by Dennis Peterson

​On 22 August 2020, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution sponsored a grave marking ceremony to honor Revolutionary War patriot Thomas Buck at the Buck Family Cemetery, Waterlick, Virginia.  The SAR honors patriots by marking their graves with a granite stone emblematic of their service in the fight for freedom during the American Revolutionary War.  This can be as a fighter, a tax payer, government service or providing goods and materials to the cause.  Thomas Buck was born in 1756 to Charles Buck and Letitia Sorrell in Frederick County, Virginia.  He was one of three patriot brothers.  His brother John served as a fighter and moved to Ohio.  Charles gave patriotic service, providing materials to the cause.  He married Ann Richardson in 1774, daughter of Colonel William and Isabella Richardson.  On 11 January 1776 Thomas was commissioned a Lieutenant of a company of militia while a resident of Dunmore County (now Shenandoah).  In 1777, he was Adjutant under Colonel Joseph Pugh, Commandant of the Dunmore Militia.  On 5 September 1777, at Woodstock, he was chosen Captain of a company of volunteers dubbed "Buck's Minute Men" of the 8th Virginia Regiment.  The unit was sent to Fort Pitt where he served for about four months.  In 1778, by then a resident of Frederick County, he raised a company of volunteers and served an additional two months.  When the British were on their march from Carolina to Virginia, he was called upon to raise a company of 70 horsemen to move prisoners from Albermarle Barracks to Winchester.  While enroute they were requested to proceed to Fredericksburg and reported to General Peter Muhlenburg.  These appointments and elections show a high regard for young Thomas Buck, then only in his early twenties.  On May 1793, he was appointed Captain of Virginia Militia by Governor Henry (Lighthorse Harry) Lee and served during the Whiskey Rebellion.  In 1797-98, he built the home "Bel Air" on Happy Creek in Front Royal where they raised thirteen children.  After the war, he returned to Frederick County, living in Front Royal where he was one of the original trustees and a leading citizen for a number of years.  He served as a magistrate and held the office of high sheriff.  His first wife died 1 Apr 1823.  On 21 September 1823, he married Ruhamah Heath McKim.  Thomas was allowed a pension on 1 October 1833 for his military service during the Revolutionary War.  He died 4 June 1842 and is buried in the Buck Family Cemetery, Waterlick, Virginia next to his first wife and his brother, Charles.
 
The Colonel James Wood II Chapter was joined by the Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minute Men, Fairfax Resolves, George Mason and General Adam Stephens Chapters of the SAR with representation from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Shenandoah Society of the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.).  Dale Corey presided over the ceremony with chaplain services provided by Jim Simmons.   Ten wreaths were presented to honor the patriot by representatives of the various Chapters, the DAR and the Shenandoah Society C.A.R.   A 14 man color guard presented the colors and a 10 man squad fired a three round musket salute.   Compatriots participating in the ceremony included Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) William "Bill" Schwetke, VASSAR Color Guard Commander Ken Bonner, VASSAR Color Guard Safety Officer Paul Christensen, VASSAR Color Guardsman of the Year Brett Osborn, Colonel James Wood II President Marc Robinson, Colonel William Grayson President Mike Weyler, Culpeper Minute Men President Charles Jameson, George Mason President Ken Morris, General Adam Stephens President Marty Keesecker and Fairfax Resolves 1st Vice President Dave Cook.  Additional compatriots included Sean Carrigan, Dale Corey, Chip Daniel, Mike Dennis, Steve Englebright, Fred Gill, Art LaFlam, Dennis Parmeter, Will Reynolds, Clay Robinson, Eric Robinson and Barry Schwoerer.  Attending from the DAR were Deborah Corey and Anne Simmons.  From the C.A.R. were Leona, Samuel and Jacqueline Gill.   The first picture is of the participating members.  Left to right standing are Leona Gill, Fred Gill, Paul Christensen, Brett Osborn, Sam Gill, Marty Keesecker, Jackie Gill, Steve Englebright, Dennis Parmeter, Mike Dennis, Eric Robinson, Clay Robinson, Ken Morris, Bill Schwetke, Dave Cook, Barry Schwoerer, Art LaFlam and Jim Simmons.  Kneeling left to right are Ken Bonner, Chip Daniel, Charles Jameson, Marc Robinson, Mike Weyler, Dale Corey and Sean Carrigan.  The second picture is Art LaFlam and Marty Keesecker performing sentinel duty at the grave site of Thomas Buck.

​Submitted by Dale Corey.

On that same day, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution conducted a grave marking ceremony to honor Johannes (also known as John) Kuller at the Dry Run Cemetery in Fort Valley, Virginia.  The SAR honors patriots by marking their graves with a granite stone emblematic of their service in the fight for freedom during the American Revolutionary War.  This can be as a fighter, a tax payer, government service or providing goods and materials to the cause.  His father, Jacob had migrated from the Palatinate region of southern Germany in 1743, settling in Frederick County, Maryland.  John was born in 1747, one of eight children.  While visiting his sister who lived in Fort Valley, he fell in love with the mountains and Passage Creek.  22 August 1777, he bought property known as Teabo's Fort from Conrad Teabo along Passage Creek, becoming one of the earliest recorded official deed holders in that area.  During the Revolutionary War, John was an "associator".  Maryland organized a system to deal with grievances imposed by Great Britain before the war with the formation of a provisional government known as the Maryland Convention.  The Convention circulated a document, "The Association of Free Men of Maryland", which resolved that the colony be put in a state of defense.  The executive branch of this convention was the Council of Safety.  Reporting to this body and keeping watch at county level for those disloyal to the provisional government was the Committee of Observation.  John Kuller was a member of that committee in 1775 and thereby was referred to as an "associator".  The Colonel James Wood II Chapter was joined by the Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minute Men, Fairfax Resolves, George Mason and General Adam Stephens Chapters of the SAR with representation from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Shenandoah Society of the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.).  Dale Corey presided over the ceremony with chaplain services provided by Jim Simmons.  Bob Cullers, a descendant of John Kuller presented a history of John and the family.  Additional descendants also attended.  Ten wreaths were presented to honor the patriot.  The ceremony included a flag folding ceremony by Chip Daniel and Clay Robinson.  A 14 man color guard presented the colors and a 10 man squad fired a three round musket salute.   Compatriots participating in the ceremony included Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) William "Bill" Schwetke, VASSAR Color Guard Commander Ken Bonner, VASSAR Color Guard Safety Officer Paul Christensen, VASSAR Color Guardsman of the Year Brett Osborn, Colonel James Wood II President Marc Robinson, Colonel William Grayson President Mike Weyler, Culpeper Minute Men President Charles Jameson, George Mason President Ken Morris, General Adam Stephens President Marty Keesecker and Fairfax Resolves 1st Vice President Dave Cook.  Additional compatriots included Sean Carrigan, Dale Corey, Chip Daniel, Mike Dennis, Steve Englebright, Fred Gill, Art LaFlam, Dennis Parmeter, Will Reynolds, Clay Robinson, Eric Robinson and Barry Schwoerer.  Attending from the DAR were Deborah Corey and Anne Simmons.  From the C.A.R. were Leona, Samuel and Jacqueline Gill.  The first picture is of all the participants.  Kneeling from left to right are Fred Gill, Sean Carrigan, Charles Jameson, Marc Robinson, Clay Robinson, Ken Bonner, Dale Corey, Sam Gill, Jackie Gill and Leona Gill.  Standing from left to right are Dave Cook, Brett Osborn, Chip Daniel, Mike Dennis, Steve Englebright, Marty Keesecker, Dennis Parmeter, Barry Schwoerer, Eric Robinson, Art LaFlam, Mike Weyler, Bill Schwetke, Ken Morris and Paul Christensen.  The second picture is the color guard - left to right Dave Cook, Ken Bonner, Barry Schwoerer, Brett Osborn, Chip Daniel, Steve Englebright, Dennis Parmeter, Clay Robinson, Mike Weyler and Ken Morris.  The third picture is of the members of the Shenandoah Society C.A.R. left to right Leona, Jacqueline and Samuel Gill. Submitted by Dale Corey.

​Roger Cross, Chapter President, presented certificates and cash awards to Mr. Jeffrey Nicoloff, Walsingham Academy Lower School history teacher, on August 11, 2020.  The certificates and checks were for Carter Perry and Xavier Jones, the 2nd and 3rd place winners in this year’s Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure Contest.  The contest was open to all students in grades 6 through 9 in James City County/ Williamsburg.  Entrants could choose from five Foundational Documents of the United States – Articles of Confederation, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Federalist Papers – as the theme for their brochure.  This contest was organized and conducted by Compatriot Paul Huchko, chairman of Chapter Youth Programs.
 
Submitted by:  Harley Stewart